To quote Roger Ebert: movies are emotion machines. And in this episode we discuss a most finely-tuned piece of emotional machinery, 1979’s Oscar juggernaut Kramer vs. Kramer. From its cast full of career best performances to the somewhat undersung sure hand of writer/director Robert Benton (RIP), this film offers soul enriching depth combined with exceedingly watchable family drama. There’s kinda nothing quite like it. Topics include: Dustin Hoffman being a huge jerk, the 1980 Oscars, and Meryl Streep’s influence on her character.

Welcome back to the Woody Allen show! ugh…

Last ep we covered Annie Hall and for this one we’re returning right back with his immediate follow up: Interiors. If you got a problem with that, take it up with Mary Beth Hurt, whose recent death prompted us to cover this film. But we aren’t too mad about it since this extremely serious drama prompted some good conversation. Topics include: Bergman, Chekhov, and getting drunk with Maureen Stapleton and Geraldine Page.

It’s time for everyone’s favorite and not at all problematic film topic: Woody Allen! Whatever you might think of the man, we would be remiss as a movie podcast about New Hollywood if we didn’t take the time to discuss his seminal breakthrough masterpiece, Annie Hall. Specifically, as a part of our ongoing series on all the 70s movie icons who keep dropping like flies, we wanted to talk about what is kinda inarguably THE Diane Keaton movie. We hope you find yourself capable of enjoying this episode. Topics include: Marshall McLuhan, Godard, and who is or isn’t allowed to use Yiddish.

For his follow up to MASH, Robert Altman decided to bring us all… this! The wonderfully bizarre Brewster McCloud of course stars the late great Bud Cort in the title role, but that’s hardly the only thing the movie has to recommend it. It bursts at the seams so full of ideas it will make even the most tuned in acid head do a double take. We hope you enjoy our discussion on this one of a kind cinematic experience. Topics include: Where’s Waldo, the history of the Houston Astrodome, and Michael Murphy’s singular brand of onscreen blandness.

We are thrilled and disturbed to bring you this episode on Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining! As we continue our tributes to film legends who recently died we thought it fitting to celebrate the life of Shelley Duvall by discussing her most legendary and controversial performance. It is our deepest pleasure to have Michael J. Dougherty back on the show to join in the chat. Topics include: conspiracies, the book vs the movie, and how much the Razzies suck.

Our series of elegies to 70's film heroes we lost last year continues with a discussion on The Great Santini. In this episode we pay respects to Robert Duvall - widely considered one of the greatest actors of all time - by covering one of his most recognizable lead roles, in a movie that is…not so good. Sorry if you enjoy it, but we sure didn’t have much to say about it (sorry Robert! We’ll get ya next time). Topics include: Sam’s high school Film Studies class, Pat Conroy’s parents, and the hotness of Blythe Danner.

To celebrate the life of visionary director David Lynch, we present to you a discussion of his masterpiece of uncanny parental anxiety, Eraserhead. We break down the making of and symbolism associated with this midnight movie classic. We also do a couple of impressions, read through every line of dialogue in the film, and even find the time to rank our favorite pieces of sound design. Topics include: Chucko, Buster, Pete, Bob, and Dan

We've been busy preparing a slate of episodes we have planned to pay tribute to some of the giants of New Hollywood who have recently left us. First on the “in memoriam” docket is no less than Robert Redford. Arguably the first true multi-hyphenate, with his directorial debut Ordinary People, Redford established an impressively new take on the “issues film”. Alana and Sam enjoy digging in and trying to untangle its thorny reputation as an Oscar spoiler for Raging Bull and Martin Scorsese. Topics include: the 92nd st Y, the origins of the Brat Pack, and what Mary Tyler Moore is really like.